“Let’s be thankful that Ned from Digital is sick today. On that note, I think we are all set, unless anybody hasanything to add?” Julian asks as he closes his laptop. We all shake our heads. “Good. I’m hungry. Pass me one of those snacks.”
There is a perk to executive meetings: the food is always way above par, and I could use some energy. Elodie is taking it all purely by occupying my mind.
Last night was unexpected. I’ve been on the pursuit, but did I think that it would end with me inside of her in a bathroom stall? No. Not in that setting. Truth be told, it gives me a few directions to choose from in my head. I’m just trying to figure out what’s fair to both of us.
We all grab a small plate and some food, and the tone is set to leave business out the door for a few minutes. We need a break.
“How is it going with Elodie? Since the big scene earlier.” Foster isn’t asking, he’s stirring the pot while he enjoys a chicken salad sandwich.
“So let me get this straight. You lost your cool due to flowers?Yep, that’s totally my fiancée’s doing. Apologies.” Julian smirks to himself with a hint of pride.
Foster rumbles a chuckle under his breath. “Elodie handled it like a pro. That’s why I have her on the team. She’sfeisty when a client is late paying an invoice, even by a day. Imagine what she was like with this crazy guy over here.” He hikes a thumb my way.
“At least it’s in the open. What now?” Easton wonders as he pours a new bottle of sparkling water into his glass.
“Stop it. Leave the man alone. They need to figure it out without our opinions,” Julian warns.
My brow rises from curiosity. “What might those opinions be?”
Foster’s face contorts, debating what to say.“Focus on your daughter.”
“Really? Nothing else?”
“I mean, no need to rush into it all in one go. You have practicalities to work out, and maybe the shock or adrenaline of your new situation will crash at some point. Make sure everything is for the right reason. Even if slow doesn’t exist in your vocabulary,” he clarifies.
Is that what I’m doing?Because attraction will always be there, whether we go slow or not. I’ve already acted on it. Our ship is already sailing. But an outsider is reminding me that maybe I could be thinking irrationally.
“True. Slow doesn’t mean more isn’t going to happen. You just need to take smaller steps,” Easton voices.
I look around the table, a little disappointed they aren’t urging me to go for it.
“Or he can go all in from the get-go.Hayes isn’t one to wait patiently.Besides, ‘Elodie is on the same wavelength, it just takes longer for the fog in her brain to clear’… end quote from Savannah,” Julian teases. “No, but seriously. There is something there. Don’t listen to us. Err on the side of caution, sure. But everybody has their own pace.”
I smile in appreciation. “Thanks. I needed to hear that.I’ve kind of been setting our speed. I think Elodie finally grasps that.”
“Well, that’s good then.” Foster continues to listen.
“Except, maybe I’m just wearing her down.” I’m not sure that’s a good thing either, but I can’t control myself around her. There is only one vision of the future for her.“Either way, Lola comes first, and I will see Elodie tonight.”
“Awkward child handovers?”Easton throws a chip into his mouth.
I chuckle to myself. “Thankfully not. I’m getting the hang of the dad thing, and most of the time, Elodie is there, too.”
That’s the hard part. Our attention is rightfully on our daughter, but the relationship between Elodie and me still lingers when all three of us are together. Every time I catch Elodie’s gaze, we both acknowledge it. At some point, it’s impossible not to keep our boundary around Lola when we both want to break it. Just crossing over that line is approached differently between us.
“It will work out, and if not, remember HR prepared a nice holiday basket of candy for you to bring to them,” Easton says sarcastically.
My phone buzzes on the table and I swipe the screen, I see a message in the daycare app. It seems they couldn’t reach Elodie, and it feels good to be the next on their contact list. It seems that Lola isn’t feeling well, which isn’t so great.I’ve been warned that kids get sick a lot, and normally it’s just a cold. Right now? I’m entering new territory, a type of worry and a new protective shield.
The events of last night have to be put aside. I guess this is where co-parenting comes into play. I send her a quick message.
Me:
I think you’re in a meeting. Daycare says Lola isn’t feeling great. Since I was going to pick her up in an hour anyway, I will go now and bring her to my place. See you soon.
Lola looksat me with wide eyes as I sit on the edge of the sofa and stare at her peculiarly.I set her up on my couch with a blanket and her stuffed animals. When I picked her up from daycare, she walked straight to me and wrapped around my leg while one of the carers explained that Lola was warm but no fever, she just didn’t seem like her energetic self.One look at her and I sensed it too.In the car ride back, she just hugged her bunny and sucked her thumb.
At first, I was a little scared that she was still shy with me.It’s only been a few times that we’ve had one-on-one time. But it quickly became apparent that she just isn’t herself.
